Week 9 Dynasty Waiver Wire Targets & Stashes

Quarterback

Kyle Lauletta (Owned in 0.1% of ESPN Leagues): Waiver Wire Stash

As the Giants season continues to crumble, it is becoming all but clear that Shurmur will have to do what sealed the doomed fate his predecessor: bench Eli Manning. As a three-year starter for the FCS-based University of Richmond Spiders, Lauletta threw for 10,465 yards and an impressive 73 touchdowns. He also featured two seasons with at least 90 rushing yards and had a total of 12 rushing touchdowns. The Giants used their 4th round pick on him, however, they didn’t expect to see him on the field this soon. In the preseason we saw more of the Giants 2017 3rd round pick, Davis Webb, who was subsequently cut in what could only be described as a clearinghouse from the former coaching staff-or a commitment to waste mid-round picks. What we did see from Lauletta doesn’t jump out of a box score: 17-35 194 passing yards, 13 rushing yards on 2 attempts, 2 total touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.

I haven’t been impressed by watching his college tape, either; even though I love dual-threat quarterbacks. Lauletta seems to lack arm strength, to the point where you can see him physically jerk his body back to get the ball downfield. He also lacks accuracy passed mid-field. That being said, it seems like he could jump in and immediately fit the college-like offense Shurmur is running this season. Lauletta is mobile, and although it might not show up in his stats, his ability to get outside of the pocket to buy time could be exactly what the offense needs to offset the poor play of their offensive line.

As a Giants fan, I’m doubtful Lauletta is the franchise quarterback of the future. But as a fantasy football player, I recognize the likelihood that Lauletta will see significant play time the rest of this season; meaning he has the potential to be an asset for your team, especially if he is able to win the 2019 starting job. He will be playing on an offense that still features Barkley, Beckham Jr, Shepard, and Engram.

Running Back

Trenton Cannon (Owned in 7.9% of ESPN Leagues): Waiver Wire Target

Cannon has both short and long-term upside for dynasty players. It became clear this week that Powell’s career with the Jets very well may be over, given his season-ending injury and his unrestricted free agent status at season’s end. Additionally, the Jets can save $3 million in cap space if they cut Crowell after this season. That leaves plenty of opportunity for the 6th round draft pick out of Virginia State University, who flashed in Week 7: catching 4 of 5 targets for 69 yards. If he can take advantage of this opportunity, he can be a key long-term asset, particularly in PPR formats.

In the short term, we’re working with a small sample size and his performance in Week 8 was less impressive; totaling just 22 yards on 9 touches. Cannon, however, was facing the Bears who have allowed the 5th least passing yards to opposing running backs this season. In Week 9, he plays the Dolphins, who have allowed the 8th most receptions and passing yards to running backs this season. What is encouraging is the amount of time he’s on the field: in his first game without Powell, he out snapped Crowell 54% to 46%. Prior to his injury, Powell (whose scat back role Cannon is filling) out snapped Crowell in all but 1 week (when they split carried evenly).

Wide Receiver

Kendrick Bourne (Owned in 0.1% of ESPN Leagues): Waiver Wire Target

With Garcon out in Week 8, Bourne took on the identity as the lead receiver in San Francisco (okay, that’s the last Jason Bourne-series joke I’ll make…maybe). In all seriousness, the undrafted possession-style sophomore now has the 2nd most targets for the 49ers wideouts this season, only behind the previously mentioned, injured Garcon. With target supremacy, come great opportunity and Bourne combines that opportunity with two match-ups against bottom 5 passing defenses (Oakland and Tampa Bay) in his next 3 match-ups. Bourne’s not the flashiest waiver wire pick-up, and his dynasty value is limited, but he does have short-term upside-and in deeper leagues he might just give you the type of stretch-time production to build a championship legacy.

David Moore (Owned in 2.7% of ESPN Leagues): Waiver Wire Priority

I’ll admit, it’s odd to call someone who has seen no more than 4 targets in any game this season a “priority”, but that’s exactly where we find ourselves with Russell Wilson’s new favorite red-zone weapon. Moore has caught 4 touchdowns in his last 3 games, and in just 4 games total this season. That includes games against the Rams (14th ranked passing defense), Cardinals (6th ranked), and Lions (8th ranked). In total, those teams, plus the Raiders account have allowed just 34 total touchdowns to wideouts this season-Moore accounts for 11% of the those touchdowns. In Week 8, Moore saw a season-high 71% of snaps, second only to Baldwin. Production and increased play-time means we’re likely to see more production from Moore as the season goes on.

Tight End

Chris Herndon IV (Owned in 5% of ESPN Leagues): Waiver Wire Target

Herndon has been swimming through a sludge-filled pool of mediocrity to emerge as most fantasy relevant tight-end on the Jets roster. With his Week 8 score against the Bears, Herndon caught a touchdown for the 3rd week in a row. In each of those games, he scored against a defense ranked in the top 13 in least points allowed to opposing tight ends (Colts, Vikings, and Bears). Herndon now has 18 total targets, which is the same amount of Leggett and Tomlinson combined. He’s caught 12 of those targets (66%), which is 2 more than his tight end teammates have combined for. He’s now led the position in snaps in 5 out of the 6 weeks he’s been on the field. It appears that the Jets and Sam Darnold may just have something with their 6’4” 253 lbs. 4th round rookie.